Salveson Stetson Group hosts an annual College Seminar for our clients to support their family members who will be graduating from college. At this seminar, we focus on providing advice to students on how to effectively look for a job. In addition, we spend time with parents and discuss how they can best support their children. It has been a very successful and well attended event each year. As you can imagine, many parents have greatly encouraged their children to attend with the hopes that our advice will land their child that elusive first job. We have to navigate through a sensitive path with parents at the College Seminar. First and foremost, they are our clients. We want to help them, but also ease their anxieties about their children. Some are frustrated, as they don’t believe their child has been active enough in the job market. Others are concerned that their child seems aimless with little direction regarding what they intend to do with their life. Some parents are ready to have their children “off the payroll” and actively participating in the world of work and want to ensure they are able to find the best job for themselves. Bottom line – we see it all. One interesting aspect of the College Seminar program is allowing parents to vent their concerns, hopes and dreams for their child, along with their frustrations. Naturally, it becomes a supportive environment where parents learn from one another. Here...

I come from a family of teachers, and as a result, we grew up in an environment that encouraged all of us to become lifelong learners. My parents have been incredible role models for me and my siblings throughout our lives. As time has marched on and they have moved into their 80s, my parents’ personal growth and learning has prospered. My father just published his second book – annotating a diary of a Civil War soldier – and he is now working on his third book. On top of that, he just delivered a PowerPoint presentation to more than 150 people in their life care community! (Yes – he knows how to use PowerPoint.) He also reads The New York Times cover to cover every day! My mother is a voracious reader and a day doesn’t go by without her completing a crossword puzzle. She has been an active and engaged member of a book club that has been meeting for more than 20 years. The club consists of women in their 70s, 80s and 90s; they read a book orally, discussing it for hours. It’s a great approach – no need for “homework” or assignments to read several chapters before the next meeting. They just enjoy discovering the book and its content as the story unfolds. My mother truly enjoys and values the company of these extraordinary women, and their love of reading and learning knits the group together. So, with such lifelong...